Coach’s Handbook and Scorebook AGE LEVEL: ____________ Traveling/In-House HEAD COACH: ____________________________ 1 Coach’s Handbook and Scorebook Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3 Mission Statement ........................................................................................................ 3 Vision Statement ........................................................................................................... 3 Message to Parents/Guardians .................................................................................... 4 Message to Players ...................................................................................................... 4 Playing time requirement .............................................................................................. 5 Coaching Philosophy .................................................................................................... 5 Lightening and what to do ............................................................................................. 6 Game Cancellation Guidelines ...................................................................................... 7 Join BLBA Coaches Text Group ..................................................................................... 7 Expectations of Coaches ............................................................................................... 8 Using fields for games/practices ................................................................................... 9 Pitch Smart Guidelines .................................................................................................. 9 Team Meeting Agenda.................................................................................................... 10 Accident Report .............................................................................................................. 11 15 Tips for dealing with Difficult Parents ……………………………………………………. 12 Code of Conduct ............................................................................................................. 13-14 BLBA Target Skills ........................................................................................................... 15-17 Lineup Cards ................................................................................................................... 18 Bunt Coverage ................................................................................................................ 19 Cut Throws to Home ........................................................................................................ 20 How to Bunt ..................................................................................................................... 21 Catching Tips ................................................................................................................. 22 Lineup Scenarios ............................................................................................................ 23-24 Fundamentals and Drills ................................................................................................. 25-34 2 Coach’s Handbook and Scorebook To All 2021 Big Lake Baseball Coaches: The season of your leadership is about to begin. How exciting this is for you and will be for the young men that you will be guiding during the 2021 campaign! You are the right person at the right time for this baseball instruction and coaching. As a coach, you may think it is your job to make your team the best that they can be. This is right but it is not the only thing that will be on your plate this year. It is your job to make this experience enjoyable, coordinated, orderly, and respectful to all --- players, umpires, and those who watch. Finally, you will stand as a role model for all to see how this game of baseball should be played. The players are looking for your discipline as to how they handle personal and team success as well as the failure that is so much a part of this game. Make this a fun learning experience for your team and most importantly…for yourself. If you are having fun, the players are having fun! I wish you all well and “Thank You” again for stepping to the forefront to being a BASEBALL COACH! This is a great game and a privilege to be part of it. Remind your players of the reason why they are special: “If this game were easy, everyone would play.” They are playing because they are capable of playing baseball and they love playing it! BLBA VISION STATEMENT Reaching and developing our youth through teamwork, sportsmanship, rules of the game, and character building lessons that reach beyond the baseball field and into our community. BLBA MISSION STATEMENT The Big Lake Baseball Association's Mission is to provide an educational, safe, and fun environment for the youth in Big Lake to play baseball. In support of that mission, BLBA seeks to: *Serve and embrace players of all races, creeds, color, nationality, or ability. *Provide a safe and healthy environment for all players to experience the pure enjoyment of the game. *Help players develop and improve their baseball skills so they can perform at their highest potential. *Create a culture where honor of self, teammates, opponents, officials, and coaches are consistently displayed. *Teach players to understand that the winning of games is secondary to effort and attitude. *Equip our coaches with every necessary means to succeed. PARENT’S ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 3 Coach’s Handbook and Scorebook Being involved in BLBA demands time and effort on the part of the parents and/or guardians. Parents, in no small measure, contribute to the success of the baseball program by understanding the requirements of team participation. Some of the things that parents can do to help their child and the team are: • Put the welfare of the team ahead of personal reflected glory • Make sure your player knows that win or lose, you appreciate the effort made. Praise. Don’t criticize. • Accept disappointment gracefully; don’t pass it along to the player or team members. • Learn to know the coach. Discuss your problems or the progress of your player with him at the proper time. The proper time is RARELY right after a difficult defeat or in the company of players and/or other parents. • Appreciate the fact that the coach has the responsibility of an entire team. • Don’t be a chronic complainer. If you are convinced something is wrong on your player’s team, follow the grievance procedure mentioned in this policy manual. • Parents are asked to conduct themselves in a sportsmanship like manner and instill in their players the desire to reflect such sportsmanship. • Parents are responsible for providing or arranging transportation for their players. • Parents are to support the BLBA philosophy of encouraging players to enjoy baseball as a sport and to have fun. Parents that place undue expectations on their players minimize the player’s enjoyment and development in the game of baseball. • Parents are expected to assist the team where needed. This includes field help, or help in the dugout and other requests made by the coach. • The safety of the player is ultimately the responsibility of the parents. If a parent fears injury or observes examples of poor sportsmanship, he/she has the right and responsibility to remove their child from playing under those conditions. • Parents whose conduct reflects negatively on BLBA may be referred to the League Director for discussion and appropriate consequences. • Work your 5 mandatory volunteer hours. CODE OF CONDUCT—PLAYERS • I will not berate the umpires or “trash talk” to my opponent! • I will not use profanity! • I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, contest administrators and umpires at every game. • I will place the emotional and physical well being of my teammates and opponents ahead of my personal desire to win. • I will treat other players, coaches, fans and umpires with respect regardless of race, gender, creed or ability. • I will demand a sports environment that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and will refrain from their use at all games/practices. • I will do my best to remember that youth sports, is supposed to be FUN and that winning and losing are part of everyone’s experience. • I will express my concerns through the proper channels in a dignified manner. • I will respect the volunteers who are assisting with the conduct of these events. • I will respect and adhere to the rules governing eligibility and competition. • I will be committed to my team during the season--being at all practices and games. If I can’t be at a practice or game, I will notify my coach BEFORE this would happen. • I will be on time to games and practices. • I will set a good example at all times, by hustling, giving 100% effort, and be attentive to the coaches. • I will avoid throwing and kicking equipment, complaining about positions I’m put into, and avoid messing around. PLAYING TIME 4 Coach’s Handbook and Scorebook For ages 6-8, teams practice for one half hour and play a game for one hour. During the game, teams will bat their entire order each inning. Players should not be on the bench for more than one inning before returning to the field. It is preferable that players get a chance to play all 9 positions by the end of the season (unless there are left-hand / right-hand issues). For ages 9 through 12, including